Because a possible synergism of radiation and inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor has been shown in cancer patients and patients with wet macular degeneration, this pilot study is being conducted to determine whether treating wet macular degeneration with a combination of Lucentis and proton beam irradiation is safe. Lucentis is an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor which was recently FDA approved for treatment of wet macular degeneration. It appears to be the most effective therapy thus far for wet macular degeneration among all drugs FDA approved for this condition. If no major safety issues are associated with this combination therapy, a larger study will be conducted to determine whether this combination therapy is more effective than Lucentis monotherapy. l

Five subjects diagnosed with wet macular degeneration will be treated with standard of care, i.e. intravitreal Lucentis injection monthly for the first four months and as needed thereafter. Within six weeks of the first Lucentis injection, the eye will also be treated with 24 Gy of proton beam divided into two fractions. Each subject will be followed for 2 yrs with monthly examination.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

50 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Ability to provide written informed consent and comply with study assessments for the full duration of the study

Head tremor or h/o claustrophobia precluding positioning for proton irradiation

Inability to maintain steady fixation with either eye

Diabetes mellitus requiring treatment

History of Malignancy treated within 5 years

Allergy to Fluorescein dye

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00517010